Translink and Council have agreed to re-route a bus route into the new Maroochydore CBD via Dalby St without any public consultation and the community is fighting back.
Residents of Dalby Street are worried about loss of on-street parking and the narrowness of the road with the large buses.
State MP Fiona Simpson said the changes would have an even bigger impact upon safety with the new route adding two extra turns for the buses at t-intersections, increasing the risk of collisions, particularly close to the Wrigley St/Bungama St/Maroubra St four-way intersection.
“Anyone navigating the four-way intersection in a car at Wrigley St would know it’s already difficult and at times dangerous.
“These bus route changes will make it more dangerous as the new t-intersection turn for buses is only metres away from this difficult intersection.
“That’s not a lot of reaction time for drivers who are focussed on the four-way traffic who then have to immediately watch for slow-moving and turning buses just ahead.
“Buses move slower. Changing the route so buses have to turn in and out of Bungama Street (from Allambie St which leads into Dalby) will increase the potential for conflict.
“Introducing a turning manoeuvre for buses only metres away at a nearby t-intersection means drivers also have to watch for this while avoiding other oncoming traffic at the four-way. It’s the most stupid thing for Translink to do.
“There is an alternative and that’s staying on Bungama Street and crossing into the Maroochydore CBD in a straight line.”
“The straighter the bus route with fewer turns, the better. This is a dumb design decision that has been taken without consultation with residents or consideration of safety, parking impact or passenger comfort.
“I join with the residents in asking that Translink reverts back to Bungama Street and takes the buses into the new Maroochydor CBD straight across Maud Street.”
